Perforator attachments for offset printing machines



17, 9 H. E. PAuLsoN 3,200,687

PERFORATOR ATTACHMENTS FOR OFFSET PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Jan. 21, 1960 20 h" n Z0 if if 43 f3 f4 47 9 5/ 47 Z4 73 i/ZL 6,? 60 62 INVENTOR flaw 0/0 L Paw/San T BY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,200,687 PERFORATOR ATTACHMENTS FOR OFFSET PRINTING MACHINES Harold E. Panlson, 842 W. Nebraska Ave,

. St. Paul, Minn. Continuation of application Ser. No. 3,876, Jan. 21, 1960.

This application Feb. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 260,257 9 Claims. (Cl. 83-346) providing a groove in the surface of the disk in which a series of metal segments could be mounted. By using the desired number of segments, the length of the perforated line could be regulated. While this structure functions very effectively for its intended purpose, I have found a considerably simpler means of accomplishing the desired result. Not only is the attachment capable of perforating a line of a desired length, but furthermore the apparatus is capable of producing a plurality of parallel perforated lines of any desired Width. Furthermore, the construction is such that an adjustment of the length of line being perforated can be accomplished in a small fraction of the time required to prepare for perforating a sheet by means of my previous device. An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a perforating wheel or disk designed to engage the sheet and to perforate it, and to provide a cooperable roller against which the perforating wheel engages. The periphery of the wheel or roller is grooved to accommodate one or more rings of hard plastic which is sufficiently non-resilient to support the sheet during the perforating operation and yet sufficiently resilient so that the surface of the plastic will not be injuredby the perforating wheel or disk duringthe operation of the press.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a .wheel of the type described and at least one peripheral groove containing a plastic ring and in cutting the ring to the length of the perforations desired. In the event the perforations should continue the entire length of the sheets, the rings may extend virtually the entire periphery of the wheel to accomplish this result. If the perforated line is to be relatively short, the plastic ring is merely cut to the-length of the line of perforation desired. The perforating wheel will then perforate the sheet throughout the length of the plastic ring and the perforations will then be discontinued due to the fact that without the backing of the perforated ring, the perforating wheel will not extend through the paper.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a perforating wheel attachment which may be equally adjusted to locate the line or lines of perforation on the sheets being printed. In my previous device, the wheel against which the perforating wheel engaged was provided with a series of spaced grooves into which the perforating wheel could extend to penetrate the paper. In this arrangement it was necessary to properly locate the perforating wheel and then to align one of the grooves of the backup wheel relative to the perforating wheel. In the event the groove was not properly aligned with the perforating wheel, improper 3,296,8 7 Patented Aug. 17, 1965 perforations could be obtained. In the present construction, the plastic rings against which the perforating wheel operates may be of substantial width. As a result, the perforating wheel may be adjusted laterally on its supporting shaft throughout substantially the entire width of the plastic rings and still function just as elfectively. In other words, the perforating wheel can be adjusted in position without necessarily requiring a corresponding adjustment of the cooperablewheel or roller.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a portion of an off-set press, showing the general arrangement of parts.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view through a portion of the apparatus, showing the location of the perforating wheel relative to the cooperable backing roll or wheel.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through one of the back up wheels showing a series of plastic rings supported thereon.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the manner in which the perforating wheel may act to perforate the upper carrier over the backing wheel or roll.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view of the drum and method employed for holding a modified form of plastic ring in place thereon.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of plastic ring shown removed from a drum.

In view of the fact that the type of printing press on which the apparatus is used may be varied materially, only a portion of the frame 10 of the apparatus is illustrated. The frame 10 is disclosed ashaving parallel sides 11 which rotatably support a transverse shaft 12. Sprockets 13 are mounted upon the shaft 12 and support a plurality of spaced transverse bars 15 which connect the chains.- Grippers 16 are pivotally supported on the transverse shaft 17 also carried between the conveyor chains 14. These grippers 16 are designed to engage the end of the sheet'and carry the sheet through the printing operation. The grippers also carry the sheets about the periphery of the sprockets 14 and over the backing wheels or drums which will be later described. A transverse mounting shaft 19 is supported by suitable brackets 20 to the frame 11 and this shaft 19 acts to support adjustable perforating wheel supporting units illustrated in general by the numeral 21. The perforating wheel supports have been described more specifically in my previous application which has been referred to above. Each support includes a perforating Wheel 22 which is rotatably supported by a pivot 23 extending through the end of a shank 24, which extends through a portion of the support 21 and is held from rotation about its axis in any suitable manner such .as by the rectangular in cross section and by having a portion of the support through which the shankextends of similar shape. The end 25 of the shank 24 opposite that supporting the perforating wheel 22 is threaded and a nut 26 on the threaded shank is engaged in a groove 27 in the body and may be rotated in one direction or the other for moving the shank 24 axially of the support and thus to move the perforating wheel in a general direction toward and away from the shaft 12. The exterior surface of the nut 26 is ribbed or grooved and a spring urged member 29 engages the surface of the nut to hold it in adjusted position.

The support 21 also slidably supports a second shank 35). A roll down wheel 31 is rotatably supported upon the shank by means of a pivot 32. The shank 30 is also held from rotation by any suitable means, such as described for the shank 24, and the free end 33 of the shank is threaded. A nut 34 is provided on the threaded shank 33 and is engaged in a notch 35 in the support to hold the shank from axial movement and to permit adjustment thereof. The exterior surface ofthe nut 34- is' grooved or knurled and a string urged finger 3-6 engages against the grooved outer surface of the nut to hold the nut from rotationupon the shank 33.

As in the previous application, a pair of brackets 37 and 3d are mounted upon the shaft 19 and are free to rotate relative thereto. The brackets 37 and 39 are held in place by collars 40. The two brackets are connected by a cross bar 41 which extends through the clamping bracket 42 on each of the brackets 37 and 39. The shaft 41 causes pivotal movement of the brackets 37 and 39 in unison. A cam 43 is mounted upon the shaft 12 and is engageable with a suitable cam follower supported by the bracket 37 so that at intervals, the brackets 37 and 39 will swing upwardly a short distance.

A pair of arms 44 are supported by the brackets 37 and 39 and move in unison therewith. The brackets v i4 are connected by atransverse shaft 45 which sup-ports a series of bristles 46 designed to engage the surface of i the sheet and to hold the sheet in proper position. Pivotal movement of the brackets 37 and 39 by the cam 43 acts to lift the bristles 46 upwardly out of the path of the forward movement of. the sheet as the leading edge of the sheet passes by.

All of the structure to this point has been disclosed in my previous application above referred to. Also illustrated in the previous application are a series of backing wheels or drums 47 and 49. The drums 47 and 49 are generally identical but the center drum 49 is provided with a series of angularly spaced pins 50 projecting therefrom on opposite sides of the drum to support rings of metal tinsel 51 or other suitable means for removing static electricity from the sheets.

The drums 47 and 49 include a central hub 52 which is keyed to the shaft 12 by a suitable key 53. The hub 52 supports a pair of spaced parallel disks 54 and 55.

the outer surface of the shell 56, the base portions of the grooves 59 being wider than the exposed outer portions. These grooves 59 are designed to support T-shaped plastic rings 60, the outer surfaces of which are substantially fiush with the surface of the shell and which are held engaged in the shell by the laterally extending flanges '64? and 61 which extend in the wider portions of the grooves 59. The rings 60 are held in place by the enlarged head 62 of set screws 63 which are threaded into the shell 55 between the grooves 59 and which engage the flanges 61 of the rings 60. The rings 60 will normally remain in proper adjusted position through the use of a single set screw 63 on each sideof the ring, the set screws being located adjacent to the notch 57. However, a series of angularly spaced set screws 63 may be provided about the periphery of the drum and between the grooves 59 if it is so desired.

The operationof the apparatus is very simple. The perforating wheel 22 is adjusted to a position where it engages the outer surface of the plastic ring 60with suflicient force to slightly, compress the ring without causing material injury to the surface thereof. The roll down wheel 31 is adjusted to press the sheet firmly against the drums. As the press is ope-rated, the conveyor chains carry the grippers 16 and gripper bars 15 into position to engage the leading edges of the sheets and the grippers pull the sheets through the press to complete the printing operation. The sheets are then drawn about part of the surface of the drums 47 and 49 and are perforated by the perforating wheel. The sheet may be simultaneously perforated at several points depending upon the location of the perforating wheels on the supporting shaft 19.

When it is desired to perforate the entire sheet, the plastic rings may extend about the entire periphery of the drum-s, terminating adjacent the notches 57 therein. If a short perforated line is desired'which extends only a portion of the length of the sheets, the ring 69 may be cut to the length of perforation desired and the remainder of the groove 59 may be left empty. The perforating wheel will perforate only that portion of the sheet which is supported by the ring 60, and accordingly the line of perforations will terminate at the end of the ring wherever this maybe located.

The plastic rings are sufficiently pliable and resilient to follow the contour of the drum. When the rings have been insertedin place, they may be held in place by the set screws 63. The rings may be replaced by removing them from the grooves 59 and sliding them laterally along the drums until they are removed therefrom Where they will expand easily to .be'removed from the shaft 12.

In accordance with the patent statutes, 1 have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in perforator attachments for offset printing machines, and while I have endeavored toset forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be madewithin the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit ofmy invention.

I claim: 7

1. In combination, a perforating attachment for use with the delivery mechanism of an offset press including,

a pair of parallel endless conveyor chains,

coaxial guide sprockets for changing the direction of said conveyors and about which said conveyors extend,

a drum coaxial with said guide sprockets and mounted therebetween, v

said drum being of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said guide sprockets, I

transverse bars connecting said conveyors at equal intervals and including sheet gripping members,

said drum having a notch extending into the periphery thereof parallel to the drum axis to accommodate said bars,

said drum having a plurality of axially. spaced grooves extending about the periphery thereof, these grooves being intersected by said notch,

a strip of flexible resilient plastic engaged in a selected one of said grooves and having its. outer surface substantially flush with the surface of said drum,

a perforating wheel supported on an axis parallel to the drum axis and engageable with said strip substantially throughout the length thereof capable of perforating a sheet carried over the surface of said drum by said sheet gripping members, and

means holding said strip in said selected groove,

whereby I the length of the line of perforations in the sheet is controlled by the length of said strip in said selected groove.

2. The structure of claim 1 and including means for holding said strip from rotative movement relative to said drum.

3. The structure of claim 1 and including headed set screw means threaded radially into said drum .and engageable with'said strip to hold the strip from rotative said conveyors and about which said conveyors extend,

a drum coaxial with said guide sprockets and mounted therebetween,

said drum being of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said guide sprockets,

transverse bars connecting said conveyors at equal intervals and including sheet gripping members,

said drum having a notch extending into the periphery thereof parallel to the drum axis to accommodate said bars,

said drum having a plurality of axially spaced grooves extending about the periphery thereof, these grooves being intersected by said notch,

said grooves being of generally T-shaped cross section with the cross portion of the T spaced inwardly of the periphery of the drum,

a strip of resilient flexible material engaged in a selected one of said grooves and being of substantially similar cross-sectional shape to that of the grooves to substantially fill the same,

a perforator wheel mounted on a shaft parallel to the drum axis and in contact with said strip to the end thereof most remote from said notch, and

means substantially within the periphery of said drum engaging the end of said strip at a point adjoining said notch to hold the strip from rotative movement in said selected groove, whereby sheets drawn about the periphery of said drum by said sheet gripping members will be perforated throughout a length dependent upon the angular length of said strip.

5. The structure of claim 4 and including means supporting said perforating wheel for movement toward and away from said drum, and

means for moving said perforating wheel away from said drum as said notch rotates between said perforating Wheel and the remainder of said drum.

6. The structure of claim 4 and in which said strip is sufficiently flexible to permit insertion of the strip from an end of the groove at its intersection with said notch.

7. A perforating attachment for use in combination with a rotatable drum having a notch extending into the periphery thereof parallel to the drum axis and including means for carrying a sheet of paperboard about the periphery of the drum, the drum including,

a groove extending about the periphery thereof, said groove being intersected by said notch,

a strip of flexible resilient plastic engaged in said groove and having its outer surface substantially flush with the surface of said drum,

a perforating wheel supported on an axis parallel to the drum axis and engageable with said strip substantially throughout the length thereof and capable of perforating a sheet carried over the surface of said drum, and

means holding said strip in said groove, whereby the length of the line of perforations is controlled by the length of said strip in said groove.

8. The structure of claim 7 and including means for holding said strip from rotation relative to said drum.

9. The structure or claim 7 and including means supporting said perforating wheel for movement toward and away from said drum, and

means for moving said perforating wheel away from said drum as said notch rotates between said perforating wheel and the remainder of said drum.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 301,249 7/84 Loewenbach 83-346 730,857 6/03 Annand 271-68 1,574,633 2/26 Myover 83-346 X 1,942,988 1/34 Taylor 271-68 X 2,434,624 1/48 Peterson 83-346 X 2,621,741 12/52 Kane 83-347 X 2,735,488 2/56 Anderson et al. 83-678 X 2,871,783 Q/59 Schmutz 101-377 3,008,364 11/61 Stobb 83-346 X FOREIGN PATENTS 24,78 8 1 1 83 Germany. 673,538 3/39 Germany.

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM W. DYER, 111., Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A PERFORATING ATTACHMENT FOR USE WITH THE DELIVERING MECHANISM OF AN OFFSET PRESS INCLUDING, A PAIR OF PARALLEL ENDLESS CONVEYOR CHAINS, COAXIAL GUIDE SPROCKETS FOR CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF SAID CONVEYORS AND ABOUT WHICH SAID CONVEYORS EXTEND, A DRUM COAXIAL WITH SAID GUIDE SPROCKETS AND MOUNTED THEREBETWEEN, SAID DRUM BEING OF A DIAMETER SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE DIAMETER OF SAID GUIDE SPROCKETS, TRANSVERSE BARS CONNECTING SAID CONVEYORS AT EQUAL INTERVALS AND INCLUDING SHEET GRIPPING MEMBERS, SAID DRUM HAVING A NOTCH EXTENDING INTO THE PERIPHERY THEREOF PARALLEL TO THE DRUM AXIS TO ACCOMMODATE SAID BARS, SAID DRUM HAVING A PLURALITY OF AXIALLY SPACED GROOVES EXTENDING ABOUT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, THESE GROOVES BEING INTERSECTED BY SAID NOTCH, 